Manage your stress. When you feel stressed or anxious, it ages your skin. Experiencing persistent stress and anxiety leads to the production of cortisol, an inflammatory hormone that breaks down collagen. Cortisol also causes redness, irritation, and breakouts.

To combat the negative side effects of stress on your skin, increase your consumption of antioxidants. Eat blueberries, oranges, and leafy greens.[3]

3

Get a good night’s sleep. In order for your body to function at its optimal level, you must get enough sleep. When you deprive yourself of sleep, your body prioritizes the functions it performs in an effort to conserve energy. Maintaining healthy, vibrant skin is not an essential function. An adequate night’s sleep consists of between 6 to 10 hours of slumber.

If you struggle to fall asleep, put away your phone, increase your exercise, and or add relaxing elements, such as a hot bath, to your nightly routine.[4]

Instead of candy, eat sweet in-season berries that are rich in antioxidants.[7]

Replace fatty cuts of meat with salmon, which is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.[8]

Opt for handful of almonds, which are rich in vitamin E and monounsaturated fats, instead of a bag of chips.[9]

5

Remain hydrated throughout the day. When you fail to consume an adequate amount of water throughout the day, your organs can not function properly. Skin is the body’s largest organ, but it is often the last organ to receive water. If your skin does not remain hydrated, it will become dry, flaky, irritated, and tight.[10] Medical professionals that the amount of water people need to consume is not universal. Instead of 8 glasses of water per day, doctors now recommend drinking between ½ to 1 ounce of water per pound each day.[11]

6

Avoid smoking and limit your alcohol. Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol ages the skin. #*As a result of smoking, the collagen in your skin breaks down and overtime the amount of collagen you produce significantly decreases. When collagen breaks down and is not replaced, wrinkles form. Smoking also restricts circulation, which prevents your skin cells from receiving adequate oxygen and nutrients.

Alcohol dehydrates the skin. When you drink an alcoholic beverage, drink plenty of water along with it.[12]

Method2

Establishing a Skin Care Regimen

1

Apply SPF daily and limit your exposure to the sun. Protecting your skin from the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays will prolong the health of your skin. As little as 10 minutes of exposure to UVA rays each day can alter and age your skin. Apply sunscreen, ideally SPF 30, every day. When you are outside for extended periods of time, reapply your sun tan lotion.[13]

Cleanse your face. Washing your face once or twice a day unclogs your pores of dirt, bacteria, oils, and products. Wash your face with warm water and a gentle cleanser in the morning and before bed. By removing the top layer of grime, you reduce your risk of breakouts and skin irritation.

As you age your oil production decreases. As a result, washing your face twice a day may dry out your skin. Instead, cleanse with warm water in the morning and wash your face thoroughly with a gentle cleanser before bed.[15]

3

Moisturize your skin. In addition to hydrating your skin, moisturizers also serve as a layer of protection. Lotions replenish dry, flaky skin. They seal in your skin’s natural moisture and provide an additional layer of protection from the elements. Moisturize in the morning, evening, after washing your face, and after showering.[16]

Exfoliate your skin once or twice a week. Removing the top layers of skin with an exfoliant promotes cell renewal and collagen production. Exfoliate your skin once or twice a week—during the spring and summer you may wish to increase the number of times you exfoliate each week.[19] There are several types of exfoliants to choose from:

Chemical exfoliants rely on acids, such as salicylic acid, and enzymes to remove dead layers of skin. Use once per week.[22]

5

Applying body scrubs by hand in a circular motion provides you with control over the exfoliation process. You can increase or decrease the pressure as your see fit.[23]

6

Use anti-aging products. Retinoids, a derivative of vitamin A, help to reduce the visible effects of aging. These products increase the speed at which cells turn over and stimulate the increased production of collagen. While the most effective retinoid creams and serums require a prescription, lower-strength varieties are available over the counter.

Initially, apply one, pea-sized drop to your face every three nights. Gradually reduce the time in between applications as you build up your tolerance.[24]

Method3

Receiving Dermatological Treatments

1

Fill in lines and wrinkles. Licensed dermatologists can provide you with non-surgical treatments for wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging or thinning skin. These treatments include Botox and and cosmetic fillers.

When injected into your forehead, Botox, a purified form of the botulinum toxin, can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.by temporarily unclenching muscles that cause crow’s feet, laugh lines, and wrinkles. The shots take a few minutes and are relatively painless.[25]

Cosmetic fillers enhance the tissues that lay underneath your problem areas. They fill in wrinkles and even out folds. Types of fillers include collagen, hyaluronic acid, and fat from your thigh.[26]

2

Remove outer layers of skin. Instead of exfoliating once or twice a week, visit your dermatologist for a chemical peel or microdermabrasion treatment.

When administering a chemical peel, dermatologists will apply an acid solution to your face. The process takes 15 minutes. Following the treatment, the top layers of your skin will peel off, leaving you with fresh, healthy looking skin.[27]

Microdermabrasion, also known as the “power peel,” exfoliates the skin with small crystals. This non-surgical treatment can reduce the appearance of brown spots, scars, and fine lines, as well as treat damaged caused by the sun.[28]

3

Stimulate collagen production. If you have creepy, saggy skin, consider undergoing a thermage treatment. Your dermatologist will use a device that emits radio-frequency energy to stimulate collagen production, which in turn firms your skin.

This is a painful treatment, but you usually only need to undergo one to see results.[29]

4

Revive your inner skin. Instead of exfoliating the top layers of your skin, consult with your dermatologist about targeting the lower layers of skin. You may choose from two treatments: a nonablative laser or an Intense Pulse Light (IPL).

An IPL emits short pulses of light into your dermis, the lowest layer of skin. As it heats the dermis, it produces collagen. It also destroys cells and promotes cell renewal. This treatment also reduces the appearance of blemishes.[30]

If your goal is to have younger looking skin, establish a daily skincare routine that involves applying cleanser, moisturizer, and 30 SPF sunscreen to prolong the health of your skin. Also, get in the practice of eating foods rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, like berries and almonds, since they can reduce aging and signs of stress. Exfoliating once or twice a week and using anti-aging products, like retinoid creams and serums, can also create younger looking skin. For tips on receiving dermatological treatments for younger looking skin, read on!

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This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Together, they cited information from 32 references.